It started out in the lobby for breakfast. There’s a man staying here who’s in his eighties and very, very Southern. He comes down every morning, in the same plaid shirt and tussled gray hair, to eat breakfast and talk to everyone.

I usually love talking to older people. They have such wonderful insights.

This guy, however, can not stop talking. He doesn’t even care if you’re listening. And I like a little peace in the morning. Just some cereal, some coffee, and some peace.

Yesterday was my breaking point. He followed me around as I made my breakfast, asking all sorts of questions and offering up anecdotes which seemed to have little or no connection. I pointed to my throat saying, “I have to preserve my voice because I’m losing it”, to which he replied, “Okay. I’ll talk. You just nod.”

I took my breakfast and practically sprinted to my room.

I then proceeded to work 12 hours.

Then we had a little party for the crew at the bar across the street from the hotel.

I hadn’t eaten in 8 hours so I, once again, stuffed myself with fattening foods:

wings

quesadilla

pulled pork

nachos

fried zucchini

about 1/2 a beer

Nice work.

At the party I overheard a few other members of our crew talking about this “Southern Gentleman”. Apparently, he has quite a filthy side. I had only heard of his wife, kids, ministries and that he was writing his memoirs. These others were privy to him talking about sex, homosexuality, and the fact that he found my friend’s breasts to be quite attractive. Dirty old man.

Got about 6 hours sleep last night.

Ate in the lobby with my makeup and wardrobe friends and dashed for the door when we saw Truman Capote coming out of the elevators.

Spent the first 4 hours of work waiting for little things to be taken care of before we could shoot.

Took a peek at the house.

IT’S MAGNIFICENT!!

Shot reveal day for about 8 hours.

Wore a purple dress with 6-inch-heels and a very tight belt.

I wasn’t comfortable. But apparently I was cute.

Got back to the hotel and got to see my whole family on FaceTime as they sat down for Passover.

That was bittersweet. Wish I could be there, but was very glad to see them all.

Tomorrow we have a few things to finish. Then hopefully time for a dinner and one last sleep at the hotel.

Just got my call time for the morning. I’ll be waking up at 5:30AM. That’s a little more than 7 hours from now, and I’ve yet to shower and wash off all my makeup.

Oh, well. I’m getting used to being tired.

So anxious now to go home. And the really good news is, when Garrett wakes up at 6:00AM on Thursday, it’ll feel like 9:00AM to me!

Writing this, listening to the thunder and the tornado warnings. Warm from the margarita I just drank.

Just walked into my room thinking it was 8:00PM. It’s only 5:45.

This was a long day. Our crew has been working endless hours, and they don’t even have a bus to go to when they get a chance to sit down. IF they get a chance to sit down.

My voice is simply not holding up. I’m starting to sound a lot like Kathy Griffin. Which isn’t a bad thing.

Woke up at 6:00 AM. Every morning it takes a few minutes to really open my eyes. Good thing I set one alarm on my phone, and one hotel wake-up call. Smart.

In the shower at 6:10. Watched a little TV. G’s favorite movie was on: Ice Age, Dawn of the Dinosaur. Had to watch a few minutes.

Gathered my stuff and had breakfast in the lobby with the gals. I love the people I get to work with. I know I’ve mentioned that.

It was yard sale day. I wasn’t expecting a huge turnout. The weather is weird and Niecy’s not part of the show anymore. Neither are Mark or Trish…. So I thought some people might not come.

Oh my god. I was so wrong.

The crowd was HUGE. I couldn’t believe it.

Before we start shooting, Matt gathers the cast to rile up the crowd. HUNDREDS of them inside and many more outside. We do a chant. One half of the room saying, “CLEAN”, the other house screaming, “HOUSE”!

It’s goes on a few minutes. So great.

Yard sale opens and people come streaming in. The buying is insane, fast, and overwhelming… In a GOOD way.

People are giving more than we’re asking for because it’s for charity.

The Richmond people are LOVELY. There wasn’t one person I met who wasn’t kind, generous, and incredibly patient. They waited up to thirty minutes just to buy one item. Some waited longer for a picture or an autograph.

It was more fun than I had even hoped for. Non stop from 9AM to 2PM. None of us took a break. Too many people, pictures and sales. Best day yet.

Then, when everyone left and there was still stuff to shoot, I got so freaking tired I wanted to collapse.

Instead, I got a tad bitchy. Just a tad.

Then I got a drink and some BBQ, not to mention wonderful conversation. And met more delightful Virginia folks in line for food!! People TALK here. It’s a bit different in L.A.

And now I’m having tea.

I think a shower is in order. Some more tanning goop, and my pj’s and book.

Got back to hotel room about 30 minutes ago, making it a 10 1/2 hour work day. Not too bad.

Didn’t have a ton to do today. Shot the open to the show and some stuff with the family.

Watched them sort through all the stuff they’ve accumulated over the years.

Watching them go through endless boxes was enough to make me not make any purchases for a while. And I’ll be taking more boxes to Goodwill soon.

Getting to know a lot of people on the set. They’re really awesome. I haven’t had the chance to hang out with this crew for eight months, so it’s great to see them.

Did FaceTime with the boys for a about 25 minutes. G took me in his room to find his red shorts, then he and I boxed for a while. I knocked him out three times.

Gotta wake up in six and a half hours to get to set by 8:30.

Gonna go nighty night now.

To summarize: I’m feeling better. I miss the hell outta G and Russ. I’m doing better than I thought I would, in spite of missing them so much. I dig this crew which makes the time less painful. I can’t stop eating. I’m tired. I don’t hate working. And I’m going to Goodwill with some stuff from my house as soon as I get home. And six more sleeps.

I got to sleep in yesterday, which was very nice but I was MORE exhausted than I had been the days before.

Got to the house, went through hair and makeup. Saw the house cleared out.

Oh. My.

You would not believe this beautiful house.

And you wouldn’t believe how hard these movers were working.

And you wouldn’t believe the dust.

Throat hurt. It hurt to talk.

Worked 9 hours. Pretty short day.

Sushi with the girls.

Stopped at Whole Foods to get some healthy snacks.

Did I mention I’ve been eating like a COW????

Oh, wait. Cows eat grass and pretty healthy stuff.

Did I mention I’ve been eating like a… Person who eats a bunch of junk food every ten to twelve minutes?

Did I mention it hurts to talk?

This morning (day 6) I was supposed to do some press but the rest of the cast is doing it without me because I don’t want to lose my voice. (Or use it more than I have to.) We still have six more days of shooting.

I’m not sure if I’m sick or it’s just the pollen and the fact that I haven’t stopped talking for six days.

About to lie down and read a bit. Then it’s back to work.

By the way, I’m pretty sure I haven’t conveyed that I’m very grateful to be working.

I am getting cumulatively more and more tired. I think I’m somewhere around zombie right now.

Woke up at 5:00 again. Breakfast in lobby again. This time surrounded by about 25 business men in polo shirts.

Shot a lot of emotional scenes.

Snacked way to much in between. On things I don’t ever eat.

Got a little mouthy on set.

Snack.

Got out 2 hours earlier than last night.

Dinner with the girls.

Fitting at the hotel.

Snack.

Skype with the boys. Frustrating tonight because they were very pixilated and Garrett was all over the place. So he was pixilated and blurry! And he didn’t really want to talk. But when Russ and I tried to talk on the phone, G wouldn’t let that happen either. Booooo!

Long shower.

Brushed teeth so I’d stop snacking.

Sore throat.

Later call time tomorrow so I can sleep until 9:00!!! That’s pretty awesome.

Left my house at 4:45 AM after kissing a sleeping boy and an awake husband goodbye.

Wiped away tears in the car. Decided to be a big girl.

Got on a flight at 6:30 and, after a connection, landed in VA seven-and-a-half hours later.

Rented car. Ford Edge. Me likey. No one paid me to say that. Damn it.

Drove with makeup artist (and new friend) to hotel.

Grabbed some Mexican-(ish) food with new friend.

Stopped at Walgreens for some necessities:

Pump soap

Peppermint Patties

Possibly one Twix bar

Sparkling water

Flat water

Allergy medication

Possibly some small bottles of pinot grigio

Back to room. Read outline for show. Skyped for a half hour with my boys. I miss them terribly already. 11 sleeps before I go home. Put on some self-tanner. Yes I did.

Daunting task of a show ahead of me, starting in eight hours. Which means I need to be up in six-and-a-half hours, after only getting three-and-a-half last night. Which means my makeup artist (and new friend) will have some major dark circles to cover.

And now, to bed. After texting Russ to say goodnight. And reading a chapter of my book.